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Recently I cooked one of my favorite French dishes. Ratatouille and Supremes De Volaille A Brun. This time I made some changes to the recipe and put the two together as a meal. I hope Julia wouldn’t be too disturbed by this! As far as the Ratatouille, I followed the recipe to the law. It’s not as perfect looking as I’m sure Julia would have made it but it sure was yummy! Ratatouille is an Eggplant Casserole with tomatoes, onions, peppers and zucchini. It’s served good with chicken, beef or lamb.

Supremes De Volaille A Brun is a chicken sautéed in butter. Instead of using flour, I used Panko Bread Crumbs. It gives it more texture. For the Butter sauce, you use clarified butter, minced parsley, and lemon juice! It’s fabulous and so tasty!

And when it’s all done! Below is the final piece! Food is like art! I added white rice to this dish and served French crusty bread along with it. It goes really well together!

You can get these recipes’ in Julia Child’s book called, “Mastering the Art of French Cooking.”

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Stephanie: I would like to introduce Author Lynne Kennedy. Winner of the BRAG Medallion. Hello Lynne! Congrats on winning the BRAG Medallion. Please tell me about you book, “The Triangle Murders.”

Lynne: Like all of my books to date, “The Triangle Murders” is a historic mystery woven around events that actually happened. That mystery is solved today by modern technology.

Quick Synopsis: When a young reporter is pushed from a ninth story window in Greenwich Village, NYPD Homicide Lieutenant Frank Mead soon connects the case to a murder that took place at the same site a hundred years earlier, during the infamous Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire.

Stephanie: Is this your first mystery novel you have written?

Lynne: I’ve written three. Besides “The Triangle Murders,” “Time Exposure” is a mystery that revolves around Civil War photography- it’s available online and in paperback. Coming within the next few months is “Deadly Provenance,” which is about the Nazi confiscation of art and a missing Van Gogh painting.

Stephanie: What is some of the recourse you used in your research?

Lynne: I’ve written a lot about research in my blogs. Essentially, I actually visit the places where the historic mystery happened and work with experts when possible who are familiar with the events. In some cases I’ve worked with curators at the Smithsonian, in others at the Library of Congress. In terms of the modern forensics, I work with the Crime Lab here in San Diego to help me through the actual procedures such as blood spatter, DNA, ballistics, etc.

Stephanie: Lynne, that is really fascinating! What a wonderful experience to be able to do that. I saw on goodreads that you have a Master’s Degree in Science. Do you feel this has helped you in writing your book?

Lynne: My degree enabled me to get a position in the museum world. I was the Deputy Executive Director at a Science Center for many years. That is where I picked up most of the latest forensic, science and technology information that I write about.

Stephanie: What was your inspiration for your story?

Lynne: I’m originally from New York City and when visiting some years ago, I happened to notice the plaque on a building, now part of NYU, in Greenwich Village. That plaque commemorates the 146 people that died in the Triangle fire. I was immediately hooked!

Stephanie: Is there a character in your book you relate to in any way?

Lynne: Fiona O’Hara Mead, the main character in the back story. She was an Irish immigrant trying to survive in the Lower East Side in the early 1900s. She landed a job at the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory, got embroiled in the politics of the terrible working conditions, which eventually got her murdered. She’s a feisty redhead who wanted to make a difference for the working people. I guess I can identify with her.

Stephanie: Have you written books in other genres?

Lynne: No. I’ve stuck to mysteries so far.

Stephanie: Where do you see the self-publishing industry in five to ten years?

Lynne: I think self-publishing is the wave of the future. The industry will continue to grow and allow new writers to break in by the thousands. The problem here, of course, is “thousands.” Unfortunately, the “noise” is already deafening. How will a writer be able to be heard above so many others? No doubt about it, though, it’s great for readers!

Stephanie: If you could meet any writer, dead or alive, who would it be? What would you want to know?

Lynne: One of my favorite authors is Anne Rivers Siddons. I have read many of her books more than once. Although I generally read mysteries, I love fine literary fiction. It sticks with me far longer than a mystery, even a well-written mystery. I know Anne is in her eighties and I would love to meet her before it’s too late to ask how she creates such memorable characters.

I also love non-fiction and one of my favorites is “The Worst Hard Times” by Timothy Egan, a journalist for the New York Times. I’d love to have a conversation with him about politics.

Stephanie: What are you currently reading?

Lynne: Barbara Kingsolver’s “The Bean Trees.” Fabulous!

Stephanie: How did you discover BRAG?

Lynne: I think it was mentioned on one of my Facebook writing groups. Glad to have been selected as a winner!

Stephanie: Lynne, it was a pleasure to chat with you! Thank you!

About Author:

With a Master’s Degree in Science and more than 28 years as a science museum director,

Lynne Kennedy has had the opportunity to study history and forensic science, both of which

play significant roles her novels. She has written four historical mysteries, each solved

by modern technology. The Triangle Murders (formerly called Tenement) was a finalist in St Martin’s Malice Domestic Competition, 2011 and Winner of the Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers Mystery Category, 2011. The Triangle Murders also won a B.R.A.G. Medallion Award for best Indie Mystery in 2012.

Her novel, Time Exposure, was a finalist in St. Martin’s Malice Domestic Competition in 2012.

Deadly Provenance is her third mystery and will be available by June, 2013. Next: The Covenant.

She blogs regularly and has many loyal mystery writer and reader fans.

We are delighted that Stephanie has chosen to interview, Lynne Kennedy, who is the author of, The Triangle Murders, one of our medallion honorees at www.bragmedallion.com. To be awarded a B.R.A.G. MedallionTM, a book must receive unanimous approval by a group of our readers. It is a daunting hurdle and it serves to reaffirm that a book such as, The Triangle Murders, merits the investment of a reader’s time and money.

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Stephanie: I’m so delighted to introduce Barbara Hacha, author of, “Line by Line and BRAG Medallion Honoree. Barbara, congrats on winning the BRAG Medallion! I’ve heard wonderful things about, “Line by Line.” Please tell me about your book and what inspired you to write this story.

Barbara: Thank you! I feel very honored that my book was awarded the BRAG Medallion.

Line by Line is a story of Maddy Skobel, a young woman growing up in central Ohio during the Great Depression. Her family is disintegrating right along with the economy, and when her home life becomes impossible, she decides to leave town–by freight train–and try to survive on her own terms. She becomes a hobo, and as she faces hardship, danger, and violence, she must discover her own resourcefulness and strengths.

My inspiration actually came out of a garage sale find! I picked up a copy of a video called Riding the Rails at a sale and brought it home, thinking it might be like a PBS Great Train Trips adventure. But it turned out to be a documentary about people who rode the rails in the Great Depression, and much to my surprise, I found that women rode! I wondered what it would have been like to be a young woman in the 1930s and riding the rails. So I created a character and decided to find out!

Stephanie: It’s truly fascinating where one can find an idea for a story. What an intriguing premise for your story. How did your characters voices come to you?

Barbara: That’s hard to describe. I think it’s important to really get to know and understand your characters, and then their voices come through. I really believe that character drives plot, because we all make choices and decisions based on who we are and how we perceive things to be.

Stephanie: I agree with you. I believe characterization is the most important part to the story. Where there any challenges you faced while writing it?

Barbara: Sure–lots of challenges! Probably the biggest was trying to carve out time to write while juggling my day job, which is editing books. There’s always deadline pressure. And when you write historical fiction, the challenge is to do all the needed research so you get it right. Fortunately, I love researching, but it is time consuming.

Stephanie: What research was involved for your story and did you learn anything new about the Great Depression you didn’t know before?

Barbara: When I started Line by Line, I first tried to get an overview of what was happening in the Depression economically and especially culturally. What were people like back then? How did they face adversity? I looked at many books and newspaper clippings from the time, as well as photographs that showed what people wore–and even of restaurant signboards that showed what people ate and how much meals cost. I also drew on some family history. My grandparents lived through the Depression, and they talked about what it was like.

I definitely learned things I didn’t know before! One of the biggest things I learned was about the Bonus March in Washington, D.C. In 1932, about 45,000 WWI veterans camped in Washington for two hot summer months trying to get Congress to award their promised bonus. When I discovered that demonstration in some news clippings, I knew Maddy would have to go there. I’ve since discovered that most people don’t know about the Bonus March, either. It’s not being taught in schools.

Stephanie: Wow, I have never heard of the Bonus March. I wish our children could learn about that in their schools. So much is left out. If there is a lesson a reader can come away with having read your story. What would it be?

Barbara: I think there’s two things, which are kind of intertwined. First, we can’t always control what happens to us–we can only control how we react to those things and the choices we make. Second, I think it’s important to learn from history. When I was writing Line by Line, I was a bit unnerved at the similarities between the Great Depression and our most recent Great Recession. Politicians and other people in power make decisions that seriously impact on people’s lives–from the failure of the banking system to home foreclosures to unemployment. Some of these life events will forever leave their mark, and those in power should not make their decisions without understanding all the ramifications.

Stephanie: That is really interesting and so true. What is your writing process?

Barbara: I try to use my time whenever I can get it. Even small increments can be productive. And I try to separate the writing process from the editing process. I write first and go back later to edit. I don’t agonize over every word until the writing is done. I think it’s also important to belong to a writer’s critique group, with people whose ideas and opinions you trust. Mine has been so helpful! We’ve been meeting monthly for about 10 years, and my writing is definitely better because of them.

Stephanie: Tell me about National Hobo Convention you attended in Britt, Iowa.

Barbara: I found out about this convention while I was researching Line by Line, so my husband and I decided to go. It was their 111th Convention, and we met hobos of all ages and from all walks of life. It was fascinating. So I decided to write a book about the hobo culture that includes interviews with many of the hobos we met in Britt. The book also describes their traditions, such as their campfire ceremony, their ceremony to honor those who have “caught the Westbound,” which means hobos who have passed away, and their election of a national Hobo King and Queen. I hope to release this book by the end of summer.

Stephanie: What advice would you give when writing Historical Fiction?

Barbara: Get the details right! Even the little things are important. I made small adjustments as I wrote: from deciding to use string instead of duct tape for Maddy’s box in the pantry, to using old railroad maps to chart Maddy’s possible course.

Stephanie: Where do you see the self-publishing market in five to ten years?

Barbara: I think self-publishing will continue to grow. Even well-established authors are now trying it out. I think one big advantage is that self-publishing can be primarily about the literature–not about whether a book can make a profit for a big publishing house. I think as authors, we have the responsibility to make sure the stories are as good as they can be, and well edited, so that self-published titles are recognized as being as good or better than “traditionally published” titles. And organizations like BRAG and sites like Layered Pages contribute by providing independent recommendations for readers–and help get the word out!

How did you discover BRAG?

I discovered them when they emailed me to tell me of the BRAG medallion award! I was familiar with Goodreads, but hadn’t heard about indieBrag. I’m very happy that they found me!

Stephanie: What is your favorite genre to read?

Well, I love historical fiction, but I read books in lots of genres. I just appreciate really good writing, no matter the genre.

Stephanie: What are you currently reading right now?

I just finished Astray, by Emma Donohue. It’s a collection of short stories that are each based on a snippet of a newspaper item. Some of the stories are set in the 19th century. Now I’m reading Mrs. Darcy and the Blue-Eyed Stranger, by Lee Smith, and House of Earth, the newly discovered novel by Woody Guthrie.

Stephanie: Barbara, thank you so much for chatting with me today!

Barbara: My pleasure! And thank you for supporting and promoting independent authors!

About Author:

Barbara Hacha’s historical novel, Line by Line, was published in March 2011. She writes both fiction and nonfiction and is a freelance editor of textbooks in the humanities, computer books, and works of fiction. She is also a photographer who occasionally exhibits in the Cleveland area. She lives in northeast Ohio with her husband, Jim. This is her debut novel.

We are delighted that Stephanie has chosen to interviewBarbara Hachawho is the author of, Line by Line, one of our medallion honorees at www.bragmedallion.com . To be awarded a B.R.A.G. MedallionTM, a book must receive unanimous approval by a group of our readers. It is a daunting hurdle and it serves to reaffirm that a book such as, Line by Line merits the investment of a reader’s time and money.

Rocamora, a novel of 17th century Spain, is based on the life of Vicente de Rocamora, who struggles to make his place in a Spain obsessed with limpieza de sangre, purity of blood untainted by Jew, Moor, or recent convert.

Poet, swordsman, and master of disguise, at the insistence of his family, Vicente enters the Dominican Order and is soon thrust into the scheming political and clerical hierarchies that at Court.

Vicente becomes Confessor and Spiritual Director for King Philip IV’s teenage sister, the beautiful Infanta Doña María, five years younger than he, protégé and possible successor of Inquisitor General Sotomayor, and an invaluable assistant to the King’s chief minister, the Count-Duke de Olivares.

Vicente needs all his skills and cunning to survive assassination by a growing list of ruthless foes in both Church and Court, solve a centuries-old riddle to quell rumors of his own impurity of blood, and above all suppress his love for the seemingly unattainable María.

I have not read very many novels that center around 17th Century Spain, so I don’t know a whole lot about the culture and history. But as you read this story, one can tell this novel is certainly rich with history and has sparked my interest in learning more. One of the great things about Historical Fiction is if the author can pull enough fiction into to it to make it believable and Platt as done that. Well written and beautifully crafted, complex characters, court intrigue, bold themes. Some are dark and graphic but I was able to handle that alright. Fantastic plot with a-ahem-interesting ending. This novel will most definitely entertain you and many of you will admire Vicente, even though you might not approve of his choices. He is a wonderful, intelligent, brave and interesting man.

Through this tale I have learned a lot more of the Roman Church during this period and look forward to doing a little research of my own. My Spanish is a bit rusty, so I had some trouble with the Spanish words through-out. It was a small distraction for me but by no means did it take away from the story. I highly recommend and I can’t wait to read, “House of Rocamora!” below is some information about it. Check it out!

About HOUSE OF ROCAMORA

Publication Date: November 19, 2012

Raven’s Wing Books

Paperback; 346p
ISBN-10:1618070916

A new life and a new name … House of Rocamora, a novel of the 17th century, continues the exceptional life of roguish Vicente de Rocamora, a former Dominican friar, confessor to the Infanta of Spain, and almost Inquisitor General.

After Rocamora arrives in Amsterdam at age forty-two, asserts he is a Jew, and takes the name, “Isaac,” he revels in the freedom to become whatever he chooses for the first time in his life. Rocamora makes new friends, both Christian and Jew, including scholars, men of power and, typically, the disreputable. He also acquires enemies in the Sephardic community who believe he is a spy for the Inquisition or resent him for having been a Dominican.

As Isaac Israel de Rocamora, he studies Medicine at Leyden and, at age forty-six, receives a license to practice. That same year Rocamora weds twenty-five year old Abigail Touro, and together they raise a large family. During his time in Amsterdam, Rocamora has a bizarre encounter with Rembrandt, serves the House of Orange as physician, and advises Spinoza before the philosopher’s excommunication. He survives a murder attempt, learns from the great English physician Harvey, and a surprise visit from a childhood friend leads to an unusual business venture.

Life is never routine or dull for Rocamora. The intrigues start with his arrival in Amsterdam and do not end until he takes his last breath.

About the Author

Born and raised inside San Francisco, I graduated from Lowell High School and received my B.A. in History from the University of California at Berkeley and won a batch of literary cash awards while in graduate school at San Jose State.

When I moved to southern California, I began my professional writing career. I sold to the TV series, MR. NOVAK, ghosted YOUR HAIR AND YOUR DIET for health food guru, Dan Dale Alexander, and wrote for and with diverse producers, among them as Harry Joe Brown, Sig Schlager, Albert J. Cohen, and Al Ruddy as well as Paul Stader Sr., dean of Hollywood stuntman and stunt/2nd unit director. Also, options were taken on my unpublished WWII fighter ace novel and several treatments.

After living in Florianópolis, Brazil, setting of my horror novel A GATHERING OF VULTURES, Dark Hart 2007, Briona Glen 2012, I moved to Florida where I wrote as a with: VITAMIN ENRICHED, pub.1999, for Carl DeSantis, founder of Rexall Sundown Vitamins; and THE COUPLE’S DISEASE, Finding a Cure for Your Lost “Love” Life, pub. 2002, for Lawrence S. Hakim, MD, FACS, Head of Sexual Dysfunction Unit at the Cleveland Clinic.

Currently, I reside in Winter Haven,

Florida. My magnum opus historical novel, ROCAMORA, set in 17th century Spain and Amsterdam during their Golden Ages, was released by RAVEN’S WING BOOKS at the end of December 2008. It has been republished by Briona Glen, September 2011. My completed sequel HOUSE OF ROCAMORA was published by Briona Glen November 2012, and I am polishing a completed novel set in the 9th century Carolingian Empire about another unusual historical character, Bodo, the Apostate.

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Publication Date: May 7, 2013
Atria Books
Hardcover; 384p
ISBN-10: 1451621507
SYNOPSIS: From the author of The Book of Lost Fragrances comes a haunting novel about a grieving woman who discovers the lost journal of novelist Victor Hugo, awakening a mystery that spans centuries.

In 1843, novelist Victor Hugo’s beloved nineteen-year-old daughter drowned. Ten years later, Hugo began participating in hundreds of séances to reestablish contact with her. In the process, he claimed to have communed with the likes of Plato, Galileo, Shakespeare, Dante, Jesus—and even the Devil himself. Hugo’s transcriptions of these conversations have all been published. Or so it was believed.

Recovering from her own losses, mythologist Jac L’Etoile arrives on the Isle of Jersey—where Hugo conducted the séances—hoping to uncover a secret about the island’s Celtic roots. But the man who’s invited her there, a troubled soul named Theo Gaspard, has hopes she’ll help him discover something quite different—Hugo’s lost conversations with someone called the Shadow of the Sepulcher.

What follows is an intricately plotted and atmospheric tale of suspense with a spellbinding ghost story at its heart, by one of America’s most gifted and imaginative novelists.

My Review:

I was so delighted to be able to participate in this book tour. I have not read any of M.J. Rose before and she now has a new fan. What an interesting and intense premise for a story, one I’ve not quite read. There are so many wonderful characters in this story. One of them being Victor Hugo. An author who lived in the nineteenth century. All I really knew about him was his extraordinary talent for storytelling and have read several of his novels. This tale gives you a look into his personal life. His daughter lost her life and I believe he was always haunted by her death. Years later, He began dabbling in séances hoping to contact her. By doing so, he opens a window to an evil force.

In the present, Jac L’Etoile-a women who is recovering from a loss as well-travels to the Isle of Jersey at the request of an old friend. Jac is a mythologist and is wanting to uncover mysteries and secrets of the island. She and her friend discover journals that was written by Victor Hugo.

There is so much more to this story, but I don’t want to give anything away. As your reading this story, you feel as if you are finding an unexpected gift in every page. Hard to describe really. I was instantly absorbed with the imaginative writing. Beautiful prose throughout, suspenseful, descriptive, romantic, mystical- but realistic at the same time- and haunting. I was completely memorized by this tale.

I really admire an author who writes characters in such a way you can connect to them on some level. Even some of the characters’ you will have a love/ hate regard for them. After reading this story, I want to read the whole series now. I highly recommend this brilliantly written novel. I’m giving it a five star rating.

Stephanie

About the Author

M.J. Rose is the international best selling author of eleven novels and two non-fiction books on marketing. Her fiction and non-fiction has appeared in many magazines and reviews including Oprah Magazine. She has been featured in the New York Times, Newsweek, Time, USA Today and on the Today Show, and NPR radio. Rose graduated from Syracuse University, spent the ’80s in advertising, has a commercial in the Museum of Modern Art in NYC and since 2005 has run the first marketing company for authors – Authorbuzz.com. The television series PAST LIFE, was based on Rose’s novels in the Renincarnationist series. She is one of the founding board members of

International Thriller Writers and runs the blog- Buzz, Balls & Hype. She is also the co-founder of Peroozal.com and BookTrib.com.

Rose lives in CT with her husband the musician and composer, Doug Scofield, and their very spoiled and often photographed dog, Winka.

For more information on M.J. Rose and her novels, please visit her WEBSITE. You can also find her on Facebook and Twitter.

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Stephanie: I would like to introduce Author Pam Stucky, winner of the BRAG Medallion. Pam, congrats on winning the Medallion! What an honor! Please tell me about your book; Letters from Wishing Rock.

Pam: Thank you! I’m so delighted and honored. In self-publishing we don’t have the nod of approval one gets automatically by being one of the ‘chosen ones’. It’s so affirming to hear that someone else thinks my books are great, too!

Letters from Wishing Rock (a novel with recipes) (“LfWR”) is the first in the Wishing Rock series. (I just published the third and final book in the series in March 2013!) These books are about the happenings in the small made-up town of Wishing Rock, Washington, an island town where everyone lives in the same building. I was inspired by the format of The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society to write my own books (this first series, anyway) in e-mail format. Letters amongst the characters and their friends and families chronicle the twists and turns of the characters’ daily lives. The first story mostly focuses on Ruby Parker, a 35-year-old woman who at the beginning of LfWR has just moved to Wishing Rock after having been dumped by her fiancé. She’s in need of healing and quickly finds herself surrounded by a community of quirky, funny, wise but fallible people. Other characters get to share the spotlight, too, though, with a full cast of what I hope are really likeable people opening up about their lives. When it’s all said and done, the Wishing Rock books really are about community, relationships, and happiness, and about making choices about how we live in our own lives and with the people around us. With lots of humor and recipes tossed in for good measure!

Stephanie: I’m intrigued with the premise for your story and I’ll be adding Letters from Wishing Rock to my reading list. Is there a character you relate to in anyway?

Pam: I relate to all of them in some way, I’d say. Said E.L. Doctorow, “Writing is a socially acceptable form of schizophrenia.” In some ways, all these characters are me; in other ways, none of them is me. I do believe, though, that to successfully write a character you have to be able to understand that every character, every person, is the protagonist in his or her own story. To each character, what he or she does has to make sense. In that sense, you have to somehow be able to relate to every character in order to make them believable.

Stephanie: What genre does it fall under?

Pam: Contemporary women’s fiction, with a bit of humor, travel, and cookbook tossed in! I see so many indie books that don’t quite fit into one pre-defined genre, and I suspect in some cases that’s why they ended up self-publishing. Traditional publishers don’t always know what to do with books that don’t fit one genre. We indies like to think outside the box!

Stephanie: Contemporary women’s fiction is really popular. Strong female characters is one of the things I like to look for in this genre. Would you ever consider writing in another genre?

Pam: Absolutely! I’ll be tackling travel humor this summer and fall. I have a YA mystery-adventure-sci-fi-fantasy in the wings, and I’m also working on a book of humorous essays. I know I’m not supposed to diverge so much − it dilutes my brand, yada yada yada − but I have too many paths I want to explore, too many ideas to be tied to just one genre. My brand is me, Pam Stucky, rather than romance or sci-fi or travel. I’m just writing what I want to write. Whether that will work out for me is yet to be seen!

Stephanie:What time period is it set in?

Pam: Modern day. The e-mails are dated, even. The first book opens on February 14, 2010.

Stephanie:Was there a particular scene you found a challenge to write?

Pam: Two things come to mind. First, there was a scene that actually ended up on the cutting room floor, but which I resurrected and put into book two (The Wishing Rock Theory of Life). One character, Alexandra, is talking, and I can’t say about what or I’ll give away a surprise. Anyway, her experience in some ways is closely based on some of my own, and I cried for a week as I wrote the scene. I cut it from the first book because it just didn’t fit with the plot at any point, but there was a place for it in the second book so I put it back in.

The second thing that comes to mind is the challenge of writing in e-mail format. Little did I realize when I embarked on this format how challenging it would be. I stretched the limits of credibility sometimes, but generally there needs to be a reason why someone who lives in the same building as someone else wouldn’t just walk down the hall to talk to them, rather than sending an e-mail. I resorted to travels, conferences, too-late-to-call, and all sorts of things to separate my characters and give them a reason to write each other!

Stephanie: That sounds like quite a task you had with that format style. I don’t know if I would have the patience! How do your characters’ voices come to you?

Pam: When I first started writing a book, long ago – a book that has never been finished or published – I got completely stuck in creating characters. I finally realized that’s because I was trying to create them completely from scratch, and I couldn’t visualize them, couldn’t get the feel for who they were. Now, I’ll often start with the idea of someone – not necessarily someone I know, even, or know well – and then when I imagine the character, I’ll just imagine what I think the real-life person might say or do, and it flows more easily. None of my characters is ‘based’ on anyone, but some are ‘inspired’ by someone. One of the main characters, for example, Ed Brooks, is inspired by someone I only met a couple of times but who had a strong personality that I loved and built on, extrapolated from. Another character, Jake Stewart, is externally very similar to a guy I met a couple times – everything from his looks to his age to his career choice – but I knew almost nothing about the original guy’s personality. Still, having even the slightest base on which to build a character helps. After three books with the same characters, they’re like real people to me themselves so it’s much easier.

On rare occasion, when I’ve sat and listened carefully, some characters just opened up and told me their life stories, like it was completely outside of me. That’s the coolest thing ever.

Stephanie: There have been times I have struggled to find my characters’ voices. I think as writers we have all been there one time or another. What compelled you to write this story?

Pam: Several things. As I said, Wishing Rock is a town in which everyone lives in the same building. That was inspired years ago when I worked at an environmental consulting company. One day, a wetlands scientist came back from a trip and told me about a town in Alaska (Whittier) where almost everyone in town lived in the same building. “You should write a short story about that,” he said. The idea percolated in my mind for a long time before I wrote the first book.

So that’s part of it. Another part is that I occasionally get tired of all those books that are filled with dread, rape, incest, failure, poverty, all the hard stuff. Obviously those are real parts of real life, but life is hard enough and I like to read books that help me escape. I wrote the books I wanted to read. They’re quick reads – I’m a slow reader and even I can get through half of one of my books in an evening. One reviewer described them as “light without being frivolous,” and I think that’s exactly what I was going for. There’s a lot of thinking in my books, but there’s a lot of fun and humor, too. As I say a few times in the series, what we focus on increases. I wanted my books to focus on the positive things in life and in the world.

Stephanie: That is refreshing to hear you say; you want your books to focus on the positive things in life and in the world. I believe we need more of that. People should remember that stories we read can really affect our outlook and too many times we get so wrapped up in the negative we lose sight to the many blessings we have. What is your writing process and what intrigues you most about it?

Pam: I completely agree, what we spend our time on becomes our lives. I mean, think about it! What else could happen? The things you put your energy into, that is, by definition, your life. I want my life and my focus and my world to be positive, as much as I can make them so. I don’t always succeed but that’s the goal.

What most intrigues me about the writing process is how many people and voices stand over my head while I’m writing. I’ve come to understand there’s no such thing as writer’s block; writer’s block is nothing more than letting the fear of judgment stop you. Learning to sit down and write has been the greatest part of learning to write. That’s all you have to do: just sit down and write. Stop letting: the fear of failure, the fear of what others will say, the fear of success, the fear of not knowing what you’re going to write, stop letting all those fears stop you. Just write.

When I’m in my best ‘zone’, I’ll spend the evening sort of plotting out what I’m going to write the next day, and then in the morning I’ll write it. That works best for me. It gives my brain the evening and night to work on the ideas, and by morning it often comes pretty easily. The hard work gets done at night, when I’m better able to focus, and in the morning I just get it done.

Note that I’m not always in my best zone. 🙂 But I’m definitely getting better. When I started, there would be days when I’d congratulate myself on writing 200 words. Now, most days where I’m writing with focus I can write at least 2,000 pretty easily.

I’d say the hardest part can be coming up with ideas. I’m not really the girl who was always making up stories growing up. It’s real life that fascinates me. This is part of why my next series is going to be travel-related humor, non-fiction (the “Pam on the Map” series, coming to you this fall!). Real-life tales of my travels and the people and adventures I encounter.

Stephanie: What is your favorite quote?

Pam: Do I have to have just one? I have so many! I like quotations that inspire me to dream and to believe.

Stephanie: Sure! Go right ahead! I would enjoy seeing them all.

Howard Thurman:“Don’t ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive and then go do that. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.”

Janet Rand:“To love is to risk not being loved in return. To hope is to risk pain. To try is to risk failure, but risk must be taken because the greatest hazard in life is to risk nothing.”

Maya Angelou:“Love life, engage in it, give it all you’ve got. Love it with a passion, because life truly does give back, many times over, what you put into it.”

Mark Twain:“Twenty years from now you’ll be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do.So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails.Explore. Dream. Discover.”

William Shedd:“A ship is safe in harbor, but that’s not what ships are for.”

Stephanie: Fantastic quotes! I’ve booked marked all of them! Mark Twain’s quote is probably my favorite among them. Pam, it was a pleasure to interview you and thank you so much for chatting with me. I hope you will visit Layered Pages again in the near future!

In 2009, Pam Stucky decided she didn’t want to reach the end of her life wondering whether she could succeed at a career in writing. She quit her ‘real’ job to try writing a novel, figuring that if it didn’t work, at least she would have tried. Now, she is delighted to have completed this three-novel series and is excited at what’s next: long-form travel journalism filled with humor. Watch for these books in the fall of 2013. Pam lives near Seattle, where she is furiously and joyfully working on several writing projects at once. Visit Pam at www.pamstucky.com.

A message from BRAG:

We are delighted that Stephanie has chosen to interviewPam Stuckywho is the author of, Letters from A Wishing Rock, one of our medallion honorees at www.bragmedallion.com. To be awarded a B.R.A.G. MedallionTM, a book must receive unanimous approval by a group of our readers. It is a daunting hurdle and it serves to reaffirm that a book such as, Letters from a Wishing Rock merits the investment of a reader’s time and money.

From the acclaimed author of To Die For comes a stirring novel told that sheds new light on Elizabeth I and her court. Like Philippa Gregory and Alison Weir, Sandra Byrd has attracted countless fans for evoking the complexity, grandeur, and brutality of the Tudor period. In her latest tour de force, she poses the question: What happens when serving a queen may cost you your marriage–or your life?

In 1565, seventeen-year-old Elin von Snakenborg leaves Sweden on a treacherous journey to England. Her fiancé has fallen in love with her sister and her dowry money has been gambled away, but ahead of her lies an adventure that will take her to the dizzying heights of Tudor power. Transformed through marriage into Helena, the Marchioness of Northampton, she becomes the highest-ranking woman in Elizabeth’s circle. But in a court that is surrounded by Catholic enemies who plot the queen’s downfall, Helena is forced to choose between her unyielding monarch and the husband she’s not sure she can trust–a choice that will provoke catastrophic consequences.

Vividly conjuring the years leading up to the beheading of Mary Queen of Scots, Roses Have Thorns is a brilliant exploration of treason, both to the realm and to the heart.

Praise for Roses Have Thorns

“In Roses Have Thorns Sandra Byrd has given the reader another amazing Elin to tell the intimate story of England’s greatest queen, Elizabeth I. What a unique point of view and deeply moving story Helena von Snakenborg provides. Byrd is especially adept at blending political and private lives. This is a timeless women’s friendship novel as well as a poignant love story to cherish–both the roses and the thorns.” (Karen Harper, New York Times bestselling author of Mistress of Mourning)

“There is something golden about this tale of Elin, an eager young woman in a strange land, diligent in her duty but alive to love. A tale gracefully told, even as it renders the terrors of treachery that form the crucible of Elin’s hard-won wisdom. A heartfelt story of loyalty, longing, life-long friendship, and the many seasons of the heart.” (Barbara Kyle, author of The Queen’s Gamble and Blood Between Queens)

“Beautiful prose and masterful research combine to bring this fascinating tale to life, treating the reader to fully realized characters and providing an original window through which we can view Elizabeth’s court. Ms. Byrd’s work will stand as an unforgettable contribution to Tudor fiction.” (D.L. Bogdan, author of The Forgotten Queen)

Layered Pages Review:

Roses Have Thorns is the third novel I have read of Sandra’s and I have thoroughly enjoyed everyone single one of them. With each book, I say, “No, this one is my favorite.” I can’t decide! She not only gives you wonderful, strong characters but gives you a fascinating and fresh look into the Tudor dynasty. What I like most about her stories is that she does not add brutal and graphic scenes but gives you a rich and vivid picture of how Tudor life was like. Which Sandra has tastefully crafted and has proven you don’t have to have to have all that to write a thrilling and intriguing story.

I really admire the young Elin-the heroine- who later becomes Helena, the Marchioness of Northampton and the second most powerful women in all of England. She earns the trust and loyalty of the Queen. She loves her family and she encourages and lifts up everyone around her.

Her second husband, Thomas is an interesting character. I truly believe he loves Helena, but throughout the story I felt that there was something off about him, that he was hiding something. You’ll have to read the story to find out!

I’ve read so many stories of Queen Elizabeth’s life and her relationship with Lord Robert and I must admit that was becoming tiresome. Sandra gives you just a hint to what their relationship was like, which was refreshing! She didn’t go on and on about it.

Sandra, paints beautiful and wonderful scenes of what court life must have been like during Queen Elizabeth rule. Her portrayal of all her characters are superbly done and she entertains you from beginning to end. I love reading a story that you don’t want to tear your eyes from. You want to immerse yourself in the history and court life. This story is perfect for everyone and more so for new readers of the Tudor period. Five stars for Roses Have Thorns!

About the Author

Sandra Byrd has published more than three dozen books in the fiction and nonfiction markets, including the first book in her Tudor series, To Die For: A Novel of Anne Boleyn. Her second book, The Secret Keeper: A Novel of Kateryn Parr, illuminates the mysteries in the life of Henry’s last wife.

For more than a decade Sandra has shared her secrets with the many new writers she edits, mentors, and coaches. She lives in the Seattle, Washington, area with her husband and two children. For more Tudor tidbits, please visit www.sandrabyrd.com. Follow Sandra Byrd on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.

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Writing is a time honored moment. When the writer breathes life into the characters and gives them a place in the reader’s heart. Characters capture us in their embrace and we take refuge in their lives in a world of uncertainties. -Stephanie M. Hopkins

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